Located: About 204 km from Delhi in the north India state of Uttar Pradesh
Majore Touris Atttraction: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandara, Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri, Chini-ka-rauza, Jama Masjid, Dayal Bagh, Rambagh.
Best Buys: Leather Items, Taj Mahal Replica
About Agra
Agra is the one of the prominent destinations of the World Tourism map with three heritage monuments -The Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri & Red Fort. Agra had been Capital City of Emporer Shah Jahan . It is more just a dacadent city of graveyards and stones, but it is a vibrant centre of Culture, Art and Religious philosphies that have enriched mankind and shaped humen thought over centuries. Agra is famous for handicrafts products such as Inley work on Marvel, Leather work,Footwear, Brasswear, Carpets, Jwellery, Zari and Embroidery work.
Major Tourist Attractions:
Taj Mahal
The construction of this marble masterpiece is credited to the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan who erected this mausoleum in memory of his beloved wife, Arjumarid Bano Begum; popularly known as Mumtaz Mahal, who died in A.H. 1040 (A.D. 1630).
Sikandra
Akbar's mausoleum at Sikandara is a unique pyramidal tomb structure. The architectural specifications of the tomb shows that the structure is a perfect blend of Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, and Jain motifs, thus reflecting the spirit of religious toleration, which Akbar practiced during his reign.
Red Fort/ Agra Fort
The Agra Fort was begun by Akbar between 1565 and 1573. It is situated on the west bank of the Jumna River, about 2km upstream from the Taj Mahal. Akbar built the fort of sandstone; his grandson Shah Jahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal, constructed palaces of white marble within the fort itself. Shah Jahan was imprisoned in Agra Fort following the coup of his son, Aurangzeb, and died here in 1657. Imp places to visit inside are.
Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri was Akbar's capital for approximately 12 years. Akbar selected Sikri as the seat of his government believing it to be auspicious for himself. He experimented both with architecture and art and built a city expressing his ideals and vision. Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a deserted, phantom city. But the inner citadel is immaculately preserved. The finest monuments within this area are the Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Buland Darwaza and the tomb of Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti, and the Jama Masjid (one of the largest mosques In India).
